Is it me or the lab?

[Peter York]

Hi all,

I recieved some damaged slides back from the lab today and I was hoping you could help me troubleshoot what went wrong...

I took approximately 12 images on a recent backpacking trip using grafmatics. The film was changed in a newly-purchased harrison pup tent, and then sent to the lab. When I went to pickup the film, the lab said the film/box was recieved damaged. They asserted that I probably did not triple box the film, though I am fairly certain that I did.

What confuses me, though, is the resulting images. Approximately half are black, yet the remaining images look like double exposures. The only explanation I can think of for these double exposures is that the grafmatics were not cycling properly, but I am fairly certain that they are.

Any ideas on what may have happened? Is there any other explanation for the double-exposue?

Thanks!

[Frank Petronio]

The lab didn't make double exposures. Perhaps you shot the same holder twice?

[Peter York]

Frank, there was only one holder for the E-6, which was reloaded with new film. I am certain it was new film and I am almost certain that the Grafmatic was cycling properly.

[Frank Petronio]

And other film was OK? Because a small hole near the front of the camera could create a secondary pinhole type image... hard to figure where the second images came from?

[Peter York]

The 2nd film holder was C-41 and I did not shoot any on this trip. All other images from this camera have come out fine but I'll add the camera to the list of things to investigate. Thanks.

[ic-racer]

When you are pulling the film compartment in and out the counter is advancing but the film sheet stays the same until you do it a second time. So you exposed each sheet twice and took the film to the lab with half the film remaining unexposed.